Opening her writing-desk, she took therefrom pen, ink, and paper, and, after a moment’s cogitation, began.

“I haven’t been a good girl to-day,” she wrote; “I was so interested in a story-book that I neglected to learn my Latin lesson; so I failed in the recitation, and Grandpa Dinsmore was very cross and disagreeable about it.  He says I answered him disrespectfully and as punishment I sha’n’t go into the schoolroom or recite to him again for a week.

“There,” glancing over what she had written, “I hope papa will never question me closely about it; and I think he won’t; it’ll be such an old story by the time we meet again.”

The week of her banishment from the schoolroom was an uncomfortable one to Lulu, though she was given no reason to consider herself a martyr.  She was allowed a share in all the home pleasures, all her wants were as carefully attended to as usual, she received no harsh words or unkind looks; yet somehow could never rid herself of the consciousness that she was in disgrace.  Very little notice was taken of her by any of the family except her brother and sister; she came and went about the house as she pleased,—­never venturing into the schoolroom, however,—­but when she joined the family circle no one seemed to be aware of her presence; they talked among themselves, but did not address or even look at her.

This treatment was galling to her, and she began to spend almost all of her time in “the boy’s work-room,” at her favorite employment of fret-sawing.

Max was generally at work there also out of school-hours, but during those hours she had always been alone till one morning Mrs. Leland, happening to want something from a closet in the work-room, came unexpectedly upon her.

It was a surprise to both; for Evelyn had kept her friend’s counsel, and no one at Ion had let Elsie or any one else indeed into the secret of Lulu’s ill-conduct and consequent disgrace.

“You here, Lu?” she exclaimed on entering the room.  “I heard you saw as I came up the stairway, and wondered who could be busy here at this hour when the young folks are all supposed to be in the schoolroom.

“What lovely work you are doing!” she went on, drawing near to examine it.  “I presume you have been extremely good and studious, and so have been rewarded with leave of absence at this unusual hour; and you are certainly making good use of your holiday.

“You are wonderfully expert at this for a child of your age.  Perhaps one of these days you will develop into so great a genius as to make us all proud of your acquaintance.”

Lulu’s cheeks burned.

“You are very kind to praise my work so, Aunt Elsie,” she said.  “Do you really think this basket is handsome—­I mean without making allowance for my age?”

“I certainly do; I think it deserves all I have said of it, if not more.  How pleased your father will be when he hears what a good, industrious, and painstaking little girl he has for his eldest daughter!”